Skip to main content

Kaare Klint

Danish, 1888-1954

Architect, teacher and furniture designer Kaare Klint is among the most important figures in Scandinavian modernism. Widely recognized as the father of modern Danish furniture, Klint sought to pay homage to historical furniture styles and prized functionality as essential to designing for modern living. He established the design school at Copenhagen’s Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and his students became mid-century legends of cabinetry and furniture-making.

Klint prioritized functionalism and drew on an array of influences in his own work. Furniture experts will observe the influence of 18th-century English seating in his Red chair, while Klint’s iconic Safari chair had roots in campaign furniture. The other exemplary chairs, sofas and tables for which he is known bear the mark of Thomas Chippendale and Biedermeier furniture as well as Greek and Roman forms.

Klint's father was Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, a formidable architect of his day. The younger Klint initially followed in his father’s footsteps, studying under him as well as distinguished architect Carl Petersen. Alongside Danish architect Ivar Bentsen, he headed the renovation of the Designmuseum Denmark in Copenhagen from 1920–26 (Klint also furnished the institution as part of the project). Around the same time, Klint helped found the furniture design school at the Royal Danish Academy. The impact of his role as an instructor there cannot be overstated — he mentored such esteemed cabinetmakers and furniture designers as Børge Mogensen, Hans Wegner and Ole Wanscher.

A prominent advocate of ergonomics, Klint valued comfort and functionality over style. Painstaking research went into each piece of sophisticated yet wholly unadorned furniture he designed, as he endeavored to build structures that took into consideration human proportions and scale. And like the Shakers, Klint believed that quality craftsmanship and good materials were integral to the design of durable furniture that was free of embellishment.

The humble grace of Klint’s style characterizes legendary seating designs that continue to charm today’s legions of mid-century modern enthusiasts. His Safari chair, Faaborg chair, Ravenna armchair and Propeller stool — as well as most of the seating created by Danish modernists generally — have warmed interiors and influenced furniture designers all over the world.

Find vintage Kaare Klint furniture and other Scandinavian modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$7,391
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair with ottoman
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. With ottoman. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Rud Rasmussen.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Ash

Pair of Kaare Klint safari chairs, 1960s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of Kaare Klint "Safari chair". Designed by Kaare Klint in 1933, produced by Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark.  
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Canvas

Pair of Kaare Klint safari chairs, 1960s
Pair of Kaare Klint safari chairs, 1960s
H 31.89 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Canvas Safari Easy Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Belmont, MA
Canvas safari easy chair by Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen with loose cushion.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Kaare Klint

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Safari Footstool by Kaare / Esben Klint for Carl Hansen in Leather, Denmark, 193
By Kaare Klint
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Safari Footstool with solid ebonized brown wood frame and brown leather seat. The footstool, designed by Esben Klint and produced by Carl Hansen & Son...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Wood

Kaare Klint, Table Lamps, Brass, Rubber, Denmark, 1950s
By Kaare Klint, Le Klint
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of adjustable brass and rubber table or wall lights designed by Kaare Klint and produced by Le Klint, Denmark, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 11.4”H x 4.7” W x 7” D D...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Brass

Kaare Klint Black Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
By Kaare Klint
Located in Stockholm, SE
Kaare Klint "Safari chair" in patinated black leather with original seat cushion. Designed by Kaare Klint in 1933, produced by Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark.  
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather

Kaare Klint Black Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
Kaare Klint Black Leather Safari Chair, 1960s
H 31.89 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint Mahogany Filing Cabinet with Sliding Doors by Rud. Rasmussen
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Kaare Klint, 1888-1954 Filling or office cabinet crafted in solid Cuban mahogany with two sliding door with smooth sliding mechanism, that opens up to multiple shelves. Resting on a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Kaare Klint

Materials

Mahogany

Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen 'Addition' Sofa and Ottoman
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, 'Addition', model ‘4698’ sofa and ottoman, leather, mahogany, Denmark, design 1933, production afterwards This set consisting of a 'Addition' sofa and...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Kaare Klint

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Browse all Furniture from Kaare Klint
Shop Now

Creators Similar to Kaare Klint

Kaare Klint furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Kaare Klint furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Kaare Klint furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 198 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Kaare Klint were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Rud Rasmussen, Peter Hvidt, and Henning Kjærnulf. Prices for Kaare Klint furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $765 and can go as high as $148,124, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,400.

Recently Viewed

View All